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Maybin hopes to turn corner after rough stretch

Maybin hopes to turn corner after rough stretch

SAN DIEGO -- There wasn't much that Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin liked about his performance during the team's recently-completed nine-game road trip.

"To be honest, this last road trip was the worst I've felt [offensively] all year," said Maybin, who was 4-for-29 on the trip.

But Monday represented more than just the start of a new week for Maybin, who spent time watching himself hit in the team's video room and talking with hitting coach Phil Plantier about his swing.

On Tuesday, Maybin had more than just a hint of optimism in his voice, and it was backed up by a two-hit output in San Diego's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

"Yesterday was the best that I've felt," Maybin said. "I was taking good, aggressive swings. I've gotten back to my old mechanics. Looking forward, this is the most excited I've been. I'm ready now to get back to doing what I can do. I like where I'm at."

Maybin, who signed a five-year contract extension worth $25 million in March, admitted to pressing and trying to do too much.

"I think it's been a case where I was trying to build off last year and I changed some things," he said. "I messed around with my leg kick and maybe tried to refine some things that weren't really me."

While Maybin has struggled, he is swinging at fewer pitches outside the strike zone than last season. His strikeout percentage from 2011 (22 percent) has decreased (19.4 percent). His walk rate is also up (9.5 percent) from last year (7.7 percent).

"There have been some positive things to look at," he said.

Now Maybin is hoping there's more, as he attempts to get back to his 2011 form that saw him hit .264 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 40 steals.